GrapheneOS
GrapheneOS is an open source privacy and security focused mobile OS based on Android. It aims to provide strong security and privacy protections while maintaining compatibility with Android apps.
privacy
security
mobile
open-source
android
GrapheneOS: Open Source Privacy & Security Mobile OS
Open source mobile operating system based on Android, focusing on strong security and privacy protections while maintaining compatibility with Android apps.
What is GrapheneOS?
GrapheneOS is an open source operating system for mobile devices that is focused on privacy and security. It is based on Android and maintains compatibility with most Android apps from the Play Store.
Some key features of GrapheneOS include:
- Hardened device security through frequent updates, security-focused default settings, and proactive exploit mitigation
- Enhanced privacy protections such as runtime permission policy customization, sensor toggling, and network permission controls
- Removal of any non-FOSS software or proprietary Google services to reduce privacy and security risks
- Open source components that allow transparency, auditing, and community contributions
GrapheneOS is designed for security-conscious users like activists, journalists, and privacy advocates who require strong security and privacy on their mobile devices. It provides extensive hardening and customization options for advanced users while still allowing compatibility with most apps and services people rely on.
GrapheneOS Features
Features
- Hardened security model
- Verified boot
- Sandboxed Play Services
- Auditor app permission model
- Vanadium web browser
- Hardened device encryption
- Hardware security module support
- Frequent security updates
Pricing
- Open Source
Pros
Strong privacy protections
Open source codebase
Frequent security updates
Compatibility with most Android apps
Hardened against many attack vectors
Cons
Limited device support
Some apps/features may not work properly
Requires technical knowledge to install and use
Reduced functionality compared to stock Android
Official Links
The Best GrapheneOS Alternatives
Top Security & Privacy and Mobile Security and other similar apps like GrapheneOS
Here are some alternatives to GrapheneOS:
Suggest an alternative ❐
Android
Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google. It is based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and other open source software. Android is designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.Some key things to know about Android:It was first launched in 2008 along...
Android-x86
Android-x86 is an open source project that ports the Android operating system to run on devices with x86 processors, allowing Android to be installed on regular PCs and laptops. It provides key functionality for supporting standard hardware like USB ports, networking, storage, graphics, touchscreens, and more.By porting Android to the...
LineageOS
LineageOS is a free and open-source operating system for smartphones and tablet computers, based on the Android mobile platform. It is the successor to the highly popular custom ROM CyanogenMod.LineageOS offers an enhanced user experience compared to stock Android, with custom features and increased performance. Some key features include customizable...
Ubuntu Touch
Ubuntu Touch is a Linux-based, open source mobile operating system developed by Canonical and the Ubuntu community. It is designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.Some key features and highlights of Ubuntu Touch include:Beautiful, intuitive touch interface designed for efficiency and ease of useFull Linux environment...
AOKP
AOKP (Android Open Kang Project) is a custom Android firmware based on the open-source AOSP (Android Open Source Project) code. It provides a more customizable and enhanced Android experience compared to stock Android firmware installed on devices by manufacturers.Some key features of AOKP include:Customizable system elements like navigation bar, status...
CyanogenMod
CyanogenMod is a free, community built mobile operating system based on Android that emphasizes customization and performance. It started as an alternative firmware for Android devices, extending the capabilities of what is possible on stock Android. It eventually grew into its own independent operating system.Some key features of CyanogenMod include:Enhanced...
Ubports
Ubports is an open source project that develops and maintains Ubuntu Touch, a touch-optimized mobile operating system that is based on Ubuntu. Ubuntu Touch was originally developed by Canonical for smartphones and tablet computers, but Canonical discontinued development in 2017.After this, the Ubports community took over responsibility for Ubuntu Touch...
Sailfish OS
Sailfish OS is a mobile operating system developed by the Finnish company Jolla. It is based on open source Linux components and focuses on providing a secure, privacy-oriented user experience with high customizability.Some key features of Sailfish OS include:Security and privacy focus - Provides control over app permissions, encrypts user...
PostmarketOS
postmarketOS is a touch-optimized, pre-configured Linux distribution aimed at bringing newer Linux versions to older Android devices such as smartphones and tablets. It allows users to extend the lifetime of their devices by enabling them to use more recent applications.The goal of the project is to make it possible to...
Carbon ROM
Carbon ROM is a popular custom Android firmware developed by the Carbon ROM team and community of developers. It is based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and focuses on providing a clean, smooth, customizable, and stable Android experience.Some key features of Carbon ROM include:Customizable Quick Settings and Status...
Dirty Unicorns
Dirty Unicorns is a popular Android custom firmware that provides enhanced features and deeper customization options compared to stock Android. Based on the open-source LineageOS codebase, Dirty Unicorns builds upon it by incorporating various tweaks, mods, system-level changes, and unique additions to unlock the full potential of Android devices.Unlike stock...
ProtonAOSP
ProtonAOSP is an open-source Android distribution developed by Proton Technologies focused on user privacy and control. It replaces stock Android with a custom build that removes all Google services and apps, including Google Play Services, Play Store, and telemetry services.Instead, ProtonAOSP relies on open source alternatives to provide core functionality...
JingOS
JingOS is a Debian-based Linux distribution that has been specially designed and optimized for tablet computers and other touchscreen devices. Its user interface and experience are focused on touch interactions using gestures and swipes to navigate and control the operating system.Some of the key features of JingOS include:A mobile-first user...
BlackBerry OS
BlackBerry OS is a proprietary mobile operating system developed by BlackBerry Limited (formerly Research In Motion) for its BlackBerry line of smartphones. It was one of the early smartphone operating systems optimized primarily for email, messaging, and mobile productivity.First released in 1999, BlackBerry OS provided advanced encryption and device management...
Pixel Experience
Pixel Experience is a custom Android ROM developed by a team of developers and contributors from the XDA forums. It is based on Google's Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and aims to provide a pure stock Android user experience, similar to what you would find on Google Pixel devices.Some key...
CalyxOS
CalyxOS is an open source privacy-focused mobile operating system based on Android. It is developed by the Calyx Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating privacy-respecting technologies.Some key features of CalyxOS that set it apart from standard Android include:Removing proprietary apps and services like Google Play Services that can track...
Xiaomi HyperOS
Xiaomi HyperOS is a custom Android-based firmware developed specifically for Xiaomi devices. It offers an enhanced user experience compared to the stock MIUI firmware that comes pre-installed on Xiaomi phones and tablets.HyperOS is based on AOSP (Android Open Source Project) and features various UI tweaks and customizations not found in...
/e/
/e/ is a privacy-focused mobile operating system based on LineageOS that aims to provide an Android alternative without Google services or proprietary apps and software. Instead, /e/ relies on free and open-source software and offers its own suite of applications to replace common Google ones.Some key features of /e/ include:No...
DivestOS
DivestOS is a Linux distribution focused on privacy, security, and removing corporate influence. It is based on Debian and aims to provide a complete out-of-the-box privacy-respecting system.Some of the main features of DivestOS include:No proprietary software or drivers includedTor and VPN clients pre-installed for anonymous internet accessHardened kernel with security...
AOSP Extended
AOSP Extended is a custom Android firmware developed by many contributors on GitHub. It is based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) which provides the core, open-source Android operating system.AOSP Extended takes the stock AOSP code and adds a significant amount of new features and customization options on top...
Flyme
Flyme is a mobile operating system developed by the Chinese consumer electronics company Meizu Technology. It is a customized version of Android that aims to provide a simpler, faster, and smoother user experience compared to stock Android.Some key features and characteristics of Flyme include:Custom user interface - Flyme uses a...
Paranoid Android
Paranoid Android is a popular custom ROM (custom firmware) for Android smartphones and tablets. It was initially launched in 2012 with a focus on advanced customization options and bringing new features to Android devices.Some key features and highlights of Paranoid Android include:Hybrid engine - Allows combining aspects of both phone...
Havoc-OS
Havoc-OS is a popular custom ROM based on LineageOS for Android devices. It focuses on adding performance enhancements, extensive theming options, and unique customization features on top of the stability and experience of LineageOS.Some key features and highlights of Havoc-OS include:Performance optimizations like kernel tweaks for improved battery life, smoothness,...
CopperheadOS
CopperheadOS is a hardened and security-enhanced operating system based on the Android Open Source Project. It was created by Copperhead, a company focused on mobile security and privacy.Some key features of CopperheadOS include:Enhanced security through kernel hardening, compiler optimizations, and other tweaks to reduce vulnerabilities and information leaks.Increased privacy controls...
OmniROM
OmniROM is a popular custom Android firmware based on the open-source Android Open Source Project (AOSP). It was initially launched in 2013 and aims to provide Android users with a highly customizable, performance-focused mobile operating system.Some key features that set OmniROM apart from stock Android include:Customization - OmniROM offers various...
OxygenOS
OxygenOS is a customized version of the Android mobile operating system, developed by Chinese smartphone manufacturer OnePlus for its flagship smartphones including the OnePlus 3, OnePlus 3T, OnePlus 5, OnePlus 6 and OnePlus 7 series.It aims to provide an enhanced user experience compared to stock Android, with a focus on...
Mobian
Mobian is a Debian-based open source operating system designed specifically for smartphones and mobile devices. It focuses on providing enhanced privacy, security, and flexibility compared to traditional mobile operating systems.Some key features of Mobian include:Strong encryption and app sandboxing for improved securitySupport for installing regular Linux apps, not just mobile...
HarmonyOS
HarmonyOS is an open-source, microkernel-based operating system first unveiled in 2019 by Chinese technology company Huawei Technologies. It was developed to address limitations in existing mobile operating systems and provide more seamless integration across devices.The key goals of HarmonyOS are to support a broad range of devices and provide a...
CrDroid
crDroid is an open source Android custom ROM based on LineageOS. It was created in 2012 with a focus on adding customization features, improving performance, and enhancing security and privacy.Some of the key features of crDroid include:Customization options through the crDroid settings app, allowing users to tweak various aspects of...
Plasma Mobile
Plasma Mobile is a free, open source mobile operating system built on a Qt and KDE software stack. It is designed to provide a customizable, privacy-respecting mobile experience with a focus on freedom and community-driven development.Some key features and highlights of Plasma Mobile include:Graphical user interface optimized for touchscreens and...
Project Elixir
Project Elixir is an open-source test automation platform designed to make test automation more accessible to teams with limited coding capabilities. It features a codeless user interface that allows users to set up, run, and maintain automated tests without needing to write any scripts.Some key capabilities and benefits of Project...
Resurrection Remix OS
Resurrection Remix OS (RR) is a custom Android firmware based on the open-source LineageOS project. It was originally started in 2012 and has grown into one of the most popular custom ROMs in the Android community.What sets RR apart from other custom ROMs is its focus on customization and new...
Replicant
Replicant is a free and open source operating system that is based on LineageOS and aims to replace all proprietary Android components with free software alternatives. Some key points about Replicant:It is designed to increase privacy, security, and user control over data compared to stock AndroidIt supports several smartphones and...
LuneOS
LuneOS is an open source mobile operating system project that aims to bring greater privacy, security, and customization to mobile devices. It is built using Linux at its core and web technologies like the Linux-based Palm WebOS. The goal of LuneOS is to create a true open source alternative to...
